Gentle Al Kebabs With Fire Charred Eggplant And Yogurt Recipes

PERSIAN LAMB AND BEEF KEBABS / KUBIDEH

Steps:

• 1. Place the lamb, beef, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and the baking soda in a large bowl and stir to blend. Transfer the mixture to a large heavy saucepan. Set the saucepan over very low heat and knead the mixture with your hands until it's warmed through and very smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.2. Cut the onion into 1-inch chunks, then grate it through the next-to-smallest holes of a four-sided hand grater or process it in a food processor you should have about 1 cup grated onion. Add the onion to the meat mixture in the saucepan and knead again, this time off the heat, until the onion is thoroughly mixed in, another 5 minutes.3. To test the mixture for seasoning, sauté a small amount of it in a nonstick skillet until cooked through, then taste, adding salt or pepper to the remaining mixture as necessary.4. Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Lightly wet your hands with cold water, then, starting about 1 inch from the tip of a skewer, mold each portion around the skewer to form a flattish sausage 11 to 12 inches long and 1 inch wide. Using the fore- and middle fingers of one hand in scissors fashion, make a series of shallow ridges the length of the sausage, perpendicular to the skewer. Place each kebab as it is made on the prepared baking sheet, then cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.5. If desired, set up the grill for grateless grilling. Preheat the grill to high.6. When ready to cook, if not using the grateless method, generously oil the grate. Arrange the kebabs on the grill as described in the grateless method, or arrange directly on the hot oiled grate. Grill, turning with tongs, until nicely browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes in all.7. Use a lavash to protect your hand as you slide each kubideh off its skewer onto a plate. Serve accompanied by lavash.Makes 8 kubideh serves 8 as an appetizer, 4 as an entrée

GENTLE AL KEBABS WITH FIRE-CHARRED EGGPLANT AND YOGURT

Steps:

• 1. Combine the lamb, onion, garlic, dill (if using), salt, cumin, and pepper in a large bowl. Knead and squeeze the mixture with your hands until thoroughly blended, 3 to 4 minutes. To test the mixture for seasoning, sauté a small amount of it in a nonstick skillet until cooked through, then taste, adding salt or pepper to the remaining mixture as necessary.2. Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions. Lightly wet your hands with cold water, then mold each portion around a skewer to form a sausage about 11 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Place each kebab as it is made on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate the kebabs for 1 to 2 hours.3. Preheat the grill to high.4. When ready to cook, place the eggplants on the hot grate and grill, turning with tongs, until the skin is charred on all sides and the flesh is soft, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer the eggplants to a plate and let cool.5. Scrape off as much of the charred skin as possible (it's not necessary to remove every bit). Cut the eggplant into chunks and process in a food processor until puréed. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the garlic, 1 cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. The purée should be quite loose add the remaining 1/4 cup yogurt as needed. Correct the seasoning, adding lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste the mixture should be highly seasoned. Cover and set aside.6. If necessary, add 20 to 24 fresh coals to bump up the grill heat to high. If desired, set up the grill for grateless grilling.7. When ready to cook, if not using the grateless method, generously oil the grate. Arrange the kebabs on the grill as described in the grateless method, or arrange directly on the hot oiled grate. Grill, turning with tongs, until nicely browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes in all.8. Meanwhile, warm the eggplant purée on one side of the grill in an uncovered medium-size saucepan.9. Use a pita to protect your hand as you slide each sausage off its skewer onto a platter, then cut the sausages into 2-inch pieces. To serve, spoon the warmed eggplant purée into the center of 4 serving plates. Top each portion with 1/4 cup of the yogurt and arrange a cut-up sausage on the yogurt. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately with the pita.Makes 4 kebabs serves 4

SPICED LAMB AND BEEF KEBABS / LULA KEBAB

Steps:

• 1. Combine the lamb, beef, onion, chile, egg, dill, cilantro, 2 teaspoons salt, the pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin, and the turmeric in a large bowl. Knead and squeeze the mixture with your hands until thoroughly blended, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large heavy skillet and set over very low heat. Cook just until the mixture is warmed through, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and let stand until completely cooled.2. To test the mixture for seasoning, sauté a small amount of it in a nonstick skillet until cooked through, then taste, adding salt or cumin to the remaining mixture as necessary it should be highly seasoned.3. Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Lightly wet your hands with cold water, then, starting about 1 inch from the tip of a skewer, mold each portion around the skewer to form a flattish sausage 11 to 12 inches long and 1 inch wide. Using the fore- and middle fingers of one hand in scissors fashion, make a series of shallow ridges the length of the sausage, perpendicular to the skewer. Place each kebab as it is made on the prepared baking sheet, then cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour or as long as overnight.4. If desired, set up the grill for grateless grilling. Preheat the grill to high.5. When ready to cook, if not using the grateless method, generously oil the grate. Arrange the kebabs on the grill as described in the grateless method, or arange directly on the hot oiled grate. Grill, turning with tongs, until nicely browned on both sides and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes in all. Serve immediately.Makes 8 kebabs serves 8 as an appetizer, 4 as an entrée

THE ORIGINAL KARIM'S SEEKH KEBAB

Steps:

• 1. Combine the split peas and turmeric in a medium-size saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer the peas, uncovered, until just tender but not mushy, 12 to 15 minutes you should be able to crush a properly cooked pea between your thumb and forefinger. Drain the peas in a colander and let cool.2. Grind the cooled peas to a coarse meal in a food processor. Stir the peas into the lamb in a large bowl along with the garlic, scallions, cilantro, ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, the cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, then knead and squeeze the mixture with your hands until thoroughly blended, 3 to 4 minutes. To test the mixture for seasoning, sauté a small amount of it in a nonstick skillet until cooked through, then taste, adding salt, pepper, or cayenne to the remaining mixture as necessary it should be highly seasoned. Cover and refrigerate the meat mixture for 1 hour.3. If desired, set up the grill for grateless grilling. Preheat the grill to high.4. Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions. Lightly wet your hands with cold water, then, starting about 1 inch from the tip of a skewer, mold one portion of the mixture around the skewer to form a sausage about 10 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Place each kebab as it is made on the prepared baking sheet (see Note).5. When ready to cook, if not using the grateless method, generously oil the grate. Arrange the kebabs on the grill as described in the grateless method, or arrange directly on the hot oiled grate. Grill, turning with tongs, until nicely browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes in all.6. Slide each sausage off its skewer onto a serving plate (if serving with naan, use it to protect your hand as you remove the sausages). Serve accompanied by sliced onion and lemon wedges.Makes 4 sausages serves 4 as an entréeNote: If not planning to cook immediately, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate.